Your pregnancy - Common complaints Pregnancy is exciting and many women really do get a lovely glow; the hormones that flood your body may well make your skin and your hair shine. On the flip side, unfortunately, growing a whole new human being does take its toll on your body and there are going to be some pretty uncomfortable things that you might experience along the way – even before you give birth.
Most of these are caused by those amazing hormones, some are a result of the extra pressure on your body from carrying a baby – but a small number can be serious; do take the time to read through the symptoms and be ready to act quickly if you are concerned about any discomforts you experience.
Aches and pains – back, ribs, limbs and carpal tunnel What is it: From general aches and pains to occasional shooting pain (particularly in the upper thighs, up into the pelvis, and intense pains in the lower back), pregnancy can be quite an uncomfortable time for many women. Ongoing aches or numbness in wrists and arms may be caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. Unfortunately, aches and pains – even quite sharp pains - are very common; but do consult your doctor or caregiver if you are concerned, particularly if the pain does not go away after rest, to rule out anything serious. Why it happens: Creating a baby involves stacking on many kilos of baby and baby-support systems like placenta, amniotic fluid, milk ducts etc. There are high levels of progesterone racing around your body that also cause your ligaments to soften and stretch, allowing your body to expand to carry a baby and to be flexible when you give birth. All of these things put extra pressure on your joints, particularly in your spine, back and hips. Intense lower back pain that happens when you turn might happen in the early months of pregnancy if the baby is positioned against your sacroiliac joint; fortunately this will often pass within a month. Later in pregnancy, ribs can be very uncomfortable as baby presses against them. Turning, bending, lifting heavy weights - even standing for a long time can all be painful, particularly in late pregnancy. How to relieve: Gentle stretching can be helpful and massage or heat-packs can relieve pain. If you have ongoing pain, you may need treatment from a qualified professional such as a physiotherapist or osteopath. Acupuncture can be effective. Yoga classes tailored for pregnant women can be very effective in helping you find some stretches that suit your changing body. Carpal tunnel may require wrist support or raising the hands. High-heeled shoes can really throw your posture out so avoid them if possible. Make sure you have a good, firm mattress and take extra care with your posture. Risk to baby: None Back to top. Breathlessness What is it: Later in pregnancy, you may find any exertion a bit difficult. When I was pregnant with twins, by about seven months, I couldn’t climb more than three steps at a time without stopping for breath! Why it happens: It’s not surprising when you look at the changes that have happened to your body. That growing baby has to go somewhere, and often as the baby occupies more space, it pushes up your diaphragm, which makes it harder to take big breaths. How to relieve: When you’re getting breathless, stop, breathe slowly, and you’ll get the oxygen you need. Take the steps one at a time. Try to avoid moving too quickly. Risk to baby: None Back to top. Constipation What is it: Irregular, hard and uncomfortable bowel motions. Why it happens: Those hormones again! Progesterone can slow down intestinal processes, causing more water to be absorbed from the waste – and therefore hard, dry stools. How to relieve: Lots of water, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and natural roughage, high-fibre foods, and go easy on the fatty and/or sugary foods. A well balanced diet and some regular gentle exercise will also help. Never take a laxative in pregnancy before consulting your health professional. Risk to baby: None Back to top. Cramps What is it: Sudden sharp pains, often in the leg, calf or foot, can often occur in the third trimester. Why it happens: There are a few theories; while low salt levels are a common cause of non-pregnancy related cramps, those over-stretched ligaments might be part of the cause during pregnancy. Low calcium levels, low magnesium levels and restricted veins due to water retention may also be responsible. How to relieve: Firm massage and flexing the cramped area will relieve the cramp itself. If you are having recurring painful cramps, talk to your doctor who may check your blood calcium, magnesium and salt levels before prescribing supplements. Don’t risk taking any food supplements without talking to your trusted health professional. Yoga can also be helpful. Risk to baby: None Back to top. Dizziness
What is it: Feeling suddenly faint or dizzy can often happen in pregnancy, more commonly in hot weather, or if you have been standing for a long time, or if you change position quickly. Why it happens: The uterus hogs the body’s blood supply during pregnancy, which can sometimes reduce the blood supply to the brain. Gravity will also work against you if you have been standing for a long time. How to relieve: Sit down or lie down if you can and breathe slowly until you feel better. Lying with your feet above your head can help, or put your head between your knees while sitting. Don’t stand up or change position too quickly. Try not to stand for long periods, particularly if the weather is very warm. Risk to baby: None Back to top. Haemorrhoids / piles
What is it: This tends to be something that happens in later pregnancy. Engorged veins around the anus, which may protrude out of the anus, cause discomfort, itchiness and pain, particularly while passing stools. Why it happens: The increasing pressure of your growing baby presses down on your rectum, which can restrict the flow of blood away from the area and the veins to dilate. At the same time, stretched ligaments can relax the muscles in the area, causing further compression. Pregnancy-induced constipation can lead to straining which puts further pressure on the veins. Crossing the legs during late pregnancy can add to the problem. How to relieve: Anaesthetic creams can relieve the symptoms, or use an ice compress to reduce swelling. Chronic cases which last long after pregnancy may require surgery. Through diet and exercise you can reduce constipation, which will reduce the problem. Use a good positional technique (legs apart, lean forward, knees high and do not strain) when passing stools. Support stockings can be good to help prevent this happening. Risk to baby: None Back to top. Headaches What is it: Persistent recurring headaches in the first and second trimester are common in pregnancy, often towards the end of the day when you may be quite tired. Watch out for headaches in the third trimester though, as this may indicate problems with blood pressure, which can be serious.
Why it happens: Your body increases its volume of blood in pregnancy, which can cause throbbing headaches. This should reduce in the third trimester – but if you experience persistent headaches during the third trimester, discuss with your care provider so that your blood pressure can be monitored closely.
How to relieve: Low doses of paracetamol are fine in pregnancy – but don’t take ibuprofen or aspirin without checking with your health provider as they are usually not recommended in pregnancy. Alternatively, if you are able to rest for a while you may find the headache subsides.
Risk to baby: None, unless the headaches are an early sign of high blood pressure. Back to top.
Heartburn and reflux What is it: Heartburn is a painful, burning feeling that can include rising stomach acid in the oesophagus and reflux is when that acid is regurgitated up into the mouth. It can happen any time but many women experience it at night or when lying down or about half an hour after eating. Why it happens: The valve at the top of the stomach relaxes in pregnancy, allowing acid to rise. And in later pregnancy, everything is squashed as your baby grows, so stomach acid will rise after digestion, particularly after a larger meal. How to relieve: A few mouthfuls of milk after eating can help to neutralise stomach acid. Some gentle antacids can be effective, but do discuss with your doctor first as many are not recommended in pregnancy. Try to have small frequent meals through the day if you suffer from heartburn rather than eating larger meals. Avoid fatty or high-sugar foods. Nibbling on a dry biscuit can sometimes help. Use several pillows to prop your head up when sleeping or resting. Risk to baby: None Back to top. High Blood Pressure What is it: Increased blood pressure is a worrying (but quite common) pregnancy symptom which is usually not severe – but in some cases can be very serious. Pregnancy caregivers will check your blood pressure throughout your pre-natal care as it can begin at any time during pregnancy, though if you have not had blood pressure problems before, it is more likely to occur after 20 weeks. Symptoms include persistent headaches, nausea and vomiting, blurry vision or other problems with eyesight, dizziness and swelling and water retention in the limbs (hands, feet and lower legs). Protein in the urine can also be an indicator of the more serious complication of pre-eclampsia. Why it happens: Family and personal medical history play a part, but pregnancy-induced hypertension can also happen in women with no history of high blood pressure. You are more vulnerable if you are overweight, over 35 or having a multiple pregnancy. In some women, pregnancy can cause an increase in the production of ‘vasoconstrictors,’ which constrict the blood vessels, raising blood pressure. How to relieve: Consult your doctor. Bed rest is usually advised and in some cases, medication may be prescribed. You will probably be monitored more closely so regular (weekly or even more frequent) checkups may be required. If blood pressure is consistently high, you may be admitted to hospital for monitoring. High blood pressure can remain constant throughout pregnancy but can also escalate rapidly, which is rare but dangerous. Blood pressure usually returns to normal a short while after birth. In severe cases, an early caesarean may need to be performed to save the baby. Risk to baby: Can be serious. Unchecked, high blood pressure in pregnancy can reduce oxygen and nutrients, reduce blood flow to the placenta and lead to lower birthweight, placental abruption (where the placenta separates from the uterus) and premature birth. A very dangerous (but rare) condition, eclampsia, can cause seizures and death in the mother, so regular medical checks including blood pressure checks through pregnancy are vital. Although the symptoms of high blood pressure often happen in normal pregnancy and can be mild, (eg persistent headaches or nausea), arrange a check-up if you have any concerns. Blood pressure kits for home use can be bought or hired if you are worried. Back to top. Incontinence
What is it: Stress incontinence can be an embarrassing pregnancy side-effect, where small amounts of urine leaks when you jump, sneeze, cough or even laugh. Why it happens: Pregnancy hormones stretch the ligaments supporting the pelvic floor and at the same time, your growing baby puts pressure on your bladder. How to relieve: Drinking plenty of water ensures that urine is diluted and less likely to irritate the urinary system. It’s really important to continue to do pelvic floor strengthening exercises throughout pregnancy. You can do them anywhere and at any time. Stress incontinence is a good indicator that you need to strengthen your pelvic floor. Find out more about pelvic floor exercises. Risk to baby: None Back to top. Mood Swings What is it: Unexplained changes in temperament and frame of mind are common in pregnant women. Sometimes anxiety attacks and “crying jags” will occur, bouts of irritation, frustration and anger can occur and many women report periods where they feel overwhelmed and fearful about pregnancy, birth and parenthood. Many women also feel very sensitive about their changing body. Why it happens: Hormonal fluctuations in pregnancy make many women vulnerable to a range of unpredictably changing feelings. Pregnancy is also a time of great change in your life, so many of the feelings you may experience are completely natural. Most women feel frightened and worried about these big changes at times during their pregnancy, though we don’t all admit it! How to relieve: Don’t worry too much if these feelings pass, it is very normal and most pregnant women do experience mood swings to some degree. However, if you find that these feelings are getting out of hand, talk to your doctor and ask for a referral to a specialist. Some women do have a particularly hard time with hormonal changes during pregnancy, particularly if they have experienced periods of mental illness in the past, and there is help available. It can also be very helpful talking to a friend who is pregnant at a similar time. Perhaps you can join a pregnancy exercise class or yoga class where you will meet other pregnant women. Gentle exercise can also work wonders – a twenty minute walk in the fresh air can lift your spirits no end, plus it’s great for your health. And here’s one to lift everyone’s mood: a study at the University of Helsinki in Finland found that women who ate a small amount of dark chocolate daily in pregnancy had happier six-month old babies. Risk to baby: None Back to top. Morning Sickness What is it: While a few pregnant women get morning sickness – most find that “morning sickness” is really all-day sickness, at least in the first three months. It usually lasts from around 6-8 weeks to around 12-16 weeks. Generally, the feeling of nausea or queasiness will come on from time to time and pass – often if you haven’t eaten for a while. Many women find it occurs when they first wake up after a long sleep. In more severe cases, you’ll experience vomiting. For an unlucky minority, the nausea and vomiting can be quite strong and for some it may last all the way through their pregnancy. Cross fingers that severe ongoing morning sickness won’t happen to you! But an estimated 70 percent of women do have some form of morning sickness in early pregnancy. Why it happens: Most pregnant women are amazed to hear this but – science has no definitive answer. It’s probably those pregnancy hormones again! But you will notice a strong correlation between nausea and low blood sugar – when you haven’t eaten for a while, you’re more likely to feel ill. How to relieve: Try some plain toast and a cup of tea as an early breakfast – with any luck, your partner will bring it to you in bed. You might find it better to avoid big meals and instead ‘graze’ throughout the day on bland, healthy food; that will help you avoid big fluctuations in your blood sugar, thus reducing nausea. Low-GI foods will work better. Try some wholemeal biscuits, pieces of fruit, perhaps a tub of yoghurt – it’s a good idea to keep a few snacks handy. Keep your fluids up, too, especially if you have been vomiting. Avoid anything that triggers nausea; common culprits are coffee, red meat, fried food and strong-smelling food like curries. Cigarette smoke can also set you off. Risk to baby: Usually this will have no impact on your baby, particularly if you keep your fluids up and eat sensibly. But severe morning sickness, where you are vomiting a few times a day each day, can be quite serious and result in dehydration and low blood-pressure, which can be detrimental to you and your baby if untreated. See your doctor straight away if you’re concerned about ongoing vomiting. Treatment can include hospitalisation and monitoring and replacement of fluids. Back to top. Stretch Marks What is it: The skin around the abdomen has to stretch during pregnancy to accommodate the growing baby in the uterus. Sometimes the skin fibres weaken as they stretch resulting in red spidery 'stretch marks', (medical name ‘striae gravidaru’ ) which can occur on your abdomen, hips, legs and breasts. They can occur any time from three months to the last couple of weeks of pregnancy. Why it happens: As the skin stretches, some of the fibres will tear. Your susceptibility to stretchmarks is likely to be genetic and around 80 percent of pregnant women will have at least a few of them. How to relieve: Do creams prevent them? Probably not, stretch marks occur on the second layer of skin, where creams and oils can’t reach. Keeping yourself well-hydrated so that your skin is supple and trying to avoid gaining excess weight above your ‘baby weight’ can certainly help. After birth, stretch marks usually fade to a pale silvery colour. Don’t stress about stretch marks; they are one of the many pregnancy ‘badge of honour’ medals that most mothers will display. Risk to baby: None Back to top.
Tummy stripe (Linea nigra) What is it: A brown-ish line of pigment that runs from the belly button down to the bikini line in some pregnant women during the second trimester.
Why it happens: It is thought to occur because of the increased oestrogen in the body, which also increases the production of melanin. How to relieve: Nothing can be done. For most women, the line will fade slowly after the baby’s birth, but in some women the line may never completely disappear and will be more visible (perhaps as a paler line) after exposure to sun. Risk to baby: None Back to top. Thrush What is it: A common yeast infection in the vagina and surrounding areas, caused by a microscopic fungus called Candida Albicans, thrush usually causes a thick white vaginal discharge and itchiness in the surrounding area. Why it happens: Many pregnant women are more vulnerable to thrush because increased oestrogen lowers the acidity of the vagina which raises glucose levels, attracting fungal infection. How to relieve: Speak to your doctor to check on medications. Most pessaries or creams usually used to treat thrush are safe in pregnancy but oral medications are usually not recommended. Try to avoid high-sugar or fatty foods. Pro-biotic yoghurt can be helpful. Wear natural fibres close to your body (eg cotton knickers) and avoid tight or restrictive clothing. Risk to baby: If thrush is present in the vagina at the time of delivery, it can be passed to the baby. While it can be treated simply, this can interfere with early breastfeeding and with baby’s comfort in the early days. Back to top. Varicose Veins What is it: Veins in the legs may appear blue or even bulging during pregnancy; this can also occur in the pelvic area including the vulva. Sometimes the veins can be painful. Why it happens: Rising hormone levels can cause relaxation in the walls of blood vessels, meanwhile a greater volume of blood and the weight of your growing baby will all put pressure on the veins. How to relieve: Gentle daily exercise can help get your blood moving; avoid crossing your legs in pregnancy, try to elevate legs and feet where possible, use pillows when sleeping to relieve pressure and sleep or rest on your left side to aid blood circulation. Varicose veins often subside after pregnancy but if they remain they may require surgery for correction. Wearing pregnancy support tights can reduce or even prevent varicose veins. Towards the end of your pregnancy, try to avoid standing or sitting in one position for long periods of time. Risk to baby: None Back to top. Water Retention (Oedema)
What is it: More than half of all healthy pregnant women will experience some water or fluid retention in the last trimester, particularly during hot weather. Swelling in the feet and hands is very common; many women find they cannot wear rings on their fingers (even wedding rings) in the last part of their pregnancy while others can’t fit into their shoes. My feet went up by one shoe size permanently while pregnant with my first child during a particularly hot summer. Puffy legs and arms are common, with some women even finding that their face becomes puffy. Because fluid retention is also a sign of the dangerous condition of pre-eclampsia, it is important to make sure your blood pressure is monitored if you are experiencing swelling. Why it happens: The volume of blood circulating increases rapidly during pregnancy and your kidneys may struggle to process all of the fluid which is then retained in tissues. How to relieve: Avoid salty foods, standing for a long time, too much caffeine and getting too hot. Anything that’s hard to digest can reduce the efficiency of your kidneys. Drinking plenty of water will help your kidneys and reduce swelling. Risk to baby: None, unless associated with high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia. Back to top. By Fran Molloy – journalist and mum of 4
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